Boiler cleaner



Jan. '19, 1932.

w. P. THOMAS 1,842,300 BOILER CLEANER Filed Sept. 22, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet l VENTOR. MZ/Z ifiams A TTORNEYJ Jan. 19, 1932. w. P. THOMAS BOILER CLEANER Filed Sept. 22, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY5 IIIIIIIII'I'IIY'Ar/l f v I W P. THOMAS Jan. 19, 1932.

BOILER CLEANER Filed Sept. 22. 1924 s Sheefcs-Sheet a ATTORNEY.

Jan. 19, 1932. w. P. THOMAS BOILER CLEANER Filed Sept. 22, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. h///// P 7730/7245 A TTORNEYj Patented Jan. 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIS P. .THOMAS, .OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO DIAMOND POWER SPEGIALTY CORPORATION, OF DETROIT, MIGHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN i is ing the cleaner element BOILER CLEANER Application filed samba 22,1924. Serial nofvsaiso.

The invention relates to boiler cleaners and has among its objects to provide a boiler cleaner having a movable cleaner element for cleaning the tubes of boilers and othe parts thereof. i

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view showing diagrammatically a plurality of blower units applied to a boiler; 1

Figure 2 is an elevation view showing one embodiment of my invention; 1

Figure 3 is a side elevation thereof showprojecting through the boiler wall; 1

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the blower head;

Figure 5 is a detail view of the pin for holding the operating handle of the blower operating mechanism in its various positions of adjustment;

Figure 6 is a vertical elevation, partly in section, of a modified form of my invention;

Figure 7 is a view along the line 77 of Figure '6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view of a modified form of operating means for advancing the blower element;

Figure 9 is a view Figure 8; t

Figure 10 is a view along the linelO-lO of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a vertical elevation ofa further modification of my invention, this view showing means for automatically advancing or retracting the blower element upon ro tating or oscillating the same, and

along the line 99 of Figure'12 is a view along the line 12-12 of Figure 11.

Referring to the drawlngs reference character A lndicates a boiler havlng 'a plurality of boiler cleaner units B connected by the branch pipes C to the headers or maincleaning fluid supplypipes D, the latter having an inlet control valve E. 10 indicates the blower head of one of the units B having "a blower or cleaner element '11 extending through the boiler wall 12,'the element 11 being supplied with a suitable cleaning fluid under pressure, such as air, steam, etc,

preferably the latter. My invention 1s espe-- and blower element. the element 11 and fixed to the blower head cially adapted for use in plants using steam of comparatively low pressure or air 'although it is equally well adapted for use in connection with high pressure steam and other high pressure fluids. A sheave 13 is 1 mounted to rotate the element 11 and bears against theth rust bearing 14 for taking up the reactive force of the fluid pressure acting through the element 11. The bearing 14 is held in place by the arms 15 oit' the blower head 10. The rear of the sheave 13 is provided with a sleeve 16 forming a housing for packing 17 and packing gland 18." A stop 19 is mounted to rotate with the sheave and is adapted to engage suitable p'rojections on the blower head for determining the arc of movement of the sheave Communicating with is a tube 21 for supplying cleaning fluid from passage 21 to the blower element. Cleaning fluid is conducted from a source,

such as a supply pipe or header, and passes through the swivel couplings 22, 23, each of which may comprise a sleeve 22 rotatably receiving the ends of adjacent pipe sections, which are held within the sleeve by packing glands 22 The coupling 22 may be surrounded by a supporting bracket 22 as illustrated. The swivel couplings are separated by the connecting pipe 24 for the purpose hereafter set forth,

Adjacent the forward part of sheave 13 is a collar 25 splined to the element 11 whereby the latter may rotate freely of the collar but is adapted to be longitudinally reciprocated by the collar. A yoke 26 is pivoted at 27 to collar 25 and has its opposite end terminating in a handle portion 28 preferably of a length suitable for operation of the blower units B from a convenient point in the boiler room.

A bracket 29 is secured by a flanged part 31 and bolts 30 to the boiler wall 12. The bracket is provided with a plurality of spaced openings 32 adapted to receive a bolt pin 33 the latter also passing through a suitable aperture in the handle 28 for holding the latter in any one of the positions determined by the openings 32. A looking pin 34 secured to chain 35 may be employed to hold the parts in adjusted position. A bracket 36 provides a pivot 37 for the handle 28.

A wall plate 38 is provided with opening 39 for receiving the element 11, suflicient clearance being provided to facilitate operation of the element as hereinafter described. A plate 40 seals the space between the element 11 and opening 39.

The element 11 is provided with a plurality of nozzles 41 directed to discharge a jet of cleaning fluid adjacent boiler tubes 42 and other parts of the boiler. The nozzles 41 are preferably spaced to correspond to alternate spaces between the rows of boiler tubes 42, as shown in Figure 3. In this manner the nozzles are adapted to clean the alternate rows of tubes, the element 11 preferably being rotated or oscillated thru an arc sufiicient to reach the parts to be cleaned, then the element 11 is advanced or retracted as the case may be, an increment corresponding to the space between the boiler tubes to the dotted position 41 and the blowing operation repeated. \Vhile I have shown the increment of advance of the nozzles 41 corresponding to a single space between boiler tubes 42 it is apparent that the increment could be made any desired amount. Likewise instead of two positions of adjustment of the handle 28 and consequently element 11, I might provide any number of such positions to advance element 11 in any number of successive increments.

In operation the blower units are suitably located adjacent the boiler tubes 42 and other parts of the boiler to be cleaned. Steam, or other cleaning fluid, is admitted through supply pipe D, past valve E and thence to the headers D where it is distributed through branch pipes C to the units B. The sheave 13 of each unitis operated by chain 43 whereby the element 11 and nozzles 41 are rotated or oscillated through an arc determined by engagement of stop 19 with suitable projections on the blower head. In order to then advance element 11 to its next position, locking pin 34 is removed to permit withdrawal of bolt. pin 33 and handle 28 is shifted until its aperture is aligned with the next opening 32 in the bracket 29. The pins 33 and 34 are then replaced and sheave 13 again operated to rock the element 11 in its advanced position. This operation is repeated until the blower element has travelled the extent of its limits or a portion thereof. hen handle 28 is moved on the pivot 37, yoke 26 acts through the collar 25 to shift the entire blower head 10 and the element 11, the swivel couplings 22 and 23 permitting swinging movement of the parts and maintaining the element 11 in its proper position.

Referring to Figure 6 I have shown another embodiment of my invention. In this construction the blower element 11 is positioned within the boiler wall 12 and opening 44 of wall plate 45. A wall seal 46 closes the space between element 11 and opening 44. Secured adjacent the wall seal is a bracket 47 provided with hearing portions 48 axially bored to receive a rotatable shaft 49 carrying a pinion 50, rotatable therewith through a pin 51. A hand wheel 52 is supported by a bracket 53 and is located in a convenient position for operating the pinion 50- through the shaft 49 as hereafter described.

Secured to the element 11 by set screw 54 is a circular rack 55 having its teeth meshing with those of pinion 50.

The blower head 10 is preferably of the type having a valve automatically operated to introduce steam to the blower element whenever the element is rotated. In detail the blower head consists of a fluid supply 21 adapted to connect with the branch pipes C through the swivel couplings 22 and 23 as shown in Figure 2. The cleaning fluid is conducted past the valve 56, when the latter is unseated, through the goose-neck 57 to the element 11, a suitable packing 58 permitting a fluid tight connection between the blower head and the element 11' rotatable with re spect to the head. The element 11 is adapted to be rotated by a gear 59 by a pinion 60 mounted on a shaft 61 carrying the sheave 62, the latter being operated by a chain 63 (Figure 1) of a length permitting operation of the sheave 62 from a convenient point in the boiler room. A cam 64 is carried by the gear 59 and as the latter rotates the cam is adapted to unseat the valve 56 by the valve stem 65 having its upper portion extending in the path of cam 64. The element 11 is provided with nozzles spaced in the manner described in connection with the type of blower shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

In operation, steam is supplied through headers D and branch pipes C to the point 21 where its further passage is normally prevented by valve 56. When it is desired to operate any of the units B the sheave 62 is rotated by chain 63' causing pinion 60 to rotate gear 59 thus rotating blower element 11' through the desired arc and simultane ously causing the cam 64 to act upon stem 65 to unseat valve 56 to supply cleaning fluid through goose-neck 57 to the element 11. In order to advance or retract element- 11' to its next position, handwheel 52 is rotated thereby rotating pinion 50 which acts upon the circular rack 55 to advance the element 11 to such position as might be found desirable in bringing the nozzles of the blower element in a new plane of rotation. The swivel couplings 22 and 23 act to permit the longitudinal movement of the blower ele- Referring to Figures 8,, 9-and 10 I have shown a modified construction preferably employing a blower head attached to the brackets 66 similar to that shown in Figure 6. The wall seal 46 is provided: with a housing 67 having bearings 68 for accommodating the shaft 69 the latter carrying a pinion 70 meshing with a rack 71 carried by a member 72 secured to the brackets 66 of the blower head. As shown in Figure 9 the housing 67 isprovided with a pin 7 3 extending in a longitudinal S10b74. of the member 72 for limiting the longitudinal movement of the. blower element 11". A sin 75 is carried by element 11 and in or er to define the limits of rotational movement of the element an arcuate slot 76 isprovided by cutting away a portion of the member 72 thereby affording the faces 76 for contact by the pin 75. it Pinion is adapted to be operated by a sheave 77 having a chain therefor (not shown) extending within convenient reach of the operator.

Inoperation the cleaning fluid is supplied to the element l1in a manner corresponding to that described in connection with the foregoing types of blowers, the element 11." havingnozzles as shown in Figure 3. For rotating the blower element in any of its longitudinally adjustable positions, the sheave on the blower headis rotated as in Figure 6, movement of the element being limited by the pin engaging the faces 7 6 of the member 72. In order to advance or retract the element 11 the sheave 77 is rotated thus causing pinion 70. to act upon rack 71 to move the blower head by the bracket 66 and member 72. Movement of the blower head will cause a corresponding movement of the element 11 by reason of the connections between these parts, such as at 78, 79, 80 and 81 (FigilreG). Movement of the blower head and therefor the element 11 is limited by the pin 73 and slot 74. It will be noted that the blower element may be positioned in a plurality of positions, in any one of which the element may be rotated with respect to the blower head and housing 67. As shown in Figure 8 the element 11 is in its extreme right position.

In the modification shown in Figures 11 and 12 I have shown means whereby the blower element 11 is advanced or retracted simultaneously with the rotation or oscillation of the sheave 62., Secured by set screw 84 to rotate with the element 11 is a cylindrical cam 85 provided with cam groove 86. A pin 87 is carried by a fixed bracket 88 and is normally forced into engagement with groove 86 by a spring 89. The pin 87 may be manually. retracted by the end 90. I

Adjacent the cam 85 is a housing-91 rotatably connected at one end to the blower element part 11 by reason of a connecting member 92. The opposite end of the housing is provided with packing93 and pack ing gland 94 to prevent leakage of the cleaning fluid in passing from blower element part 11 to the element 11. Housing 91 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves 95 for receiving pins 96 rigidly carried by the element 11.

In operation with the parts in the posi' tion shown in Figure 11, the blower element 11 is in its extreme retracted position. In this position the nozzles of the blower ele ment (similar to those shown in Figure 3) are in position to clean certain rows of boiler tubes. In this position, the blower element may be rotated or oscillated by the sheave 62, pinion 60 and gear 59, the latter rotating the part 11*. Movement of the part 11 is transmitted to the element 11 through the housing 91 and pins 96. During the cleaning operation of the blower element the pin 87 engages the terminating portions 97 of the groove 86, which portions lie in a vertical plane whereby no longitudinal move and valve stem 65 is such that the cam is in engagement with the valve stem. It will thus be noted that I have provided means for rotating or oscillating the blower element in a plurality of predetermined posi tions and simultaneously supplying cleaning fluid to the blower element during the rotative movement of the blower head. After the blowing operation for the position shown in Figure 11 has been completed the sheave 62 is rotated so as to rotate the cam 64 beyond its point of engagement with the valve stem 65 whereby the valve 56 is seated to cut off the supply of cleaning fluid to the blower element 11% Simultaneously with the disengagement of the cam 64: and valve stem 65 rotation of the cylindrical cam 85 causes the spiral groove 86 to engage the stationary pin 87 whereby the cam 85 and blower element 11 are projected or forced to the right, as viewed in Figure 11, the pin 87 engaging the left terminating groove 97, thelatter permitting rotation or oscillation of the blower element without longitudinal movement of the blower element as explained above. In this position the nozzles of the blower element are directed in the path of other rows of boiler tubes or other parts of the boiler to be cleaned, as shown in Figure 3. The projection and retraction of the blower element l1 with. respect to the blower head 10 is permitted by reason of the splined parts within the housing 91, namely the pins 96 and grooves 95. If desired the operator can retract pin 87 from the cam. groove 86 by reason of the end 90,

whereby the blower element 11 may be rotated or oscillated in any position intermediate the terminating portions 97 of cam groove 86 or'pin 87 may be withdrawn so I that the blower element may be rotated when in its extreme retracted or projected positions, beyond the limits of the groove portions 97.

Should it be found desirable, the successive positions of the blower element, in any of the foregoing types, might be indicated by means or a dial, electrically or mechanically operated by any moving part of the blower element. In Figure 3 the handle 28 serves this purpose. In Figure 7 an indicator 82 is adapted to show the position of the cleaner element by reason of its position relatively with graduations 83 on the hand wheel 52.

By the term rotation as applied to the blower element I mean one or more complete or partial rotations of the element while by the terms operative or blowing positions, I mean certain predetermined spaced positions in which the nozzle. is located to discharge cleaning fluid adjacent spaced parts of the boiler to be cleaned, each position being associated with a different boiler part.

What I claim as my invention is l. A boiler cleaner unit comprising a cleaner element provided with discharge nozzles, a head in which said element is journaled, the cleaner element projecting through a wall of the boiler, and means for moving said head away from the boiler wall to move the element longitudinally to a plurality of operative positions whereby the discharge nozzles are positioned to act upon different parts of the boiler for cleaning the same.

2. In a boiler cleaner, a source of cleaning fluid, a cleaner element having a discharge nozzle for the fluid, a rack carried by said element, a pinion engaging said rack, means for rotating said pinion for advancing the element longitudinally whereby it may occupy a plurality of positions, a blower head carried by the cleaner element including means for rotating the element with respect to the blower head in any of the said positions.

3. In a boiler cleaner, a source of cleaning fluid, a cleaner element extending transversely of the boiler water tubes and having discharge nozzle for the tluid, a shaft, gearing between said shaft and said element, a hand wheel for operating said shaft to move said element longitudinally to a plurality of operative positions, and means for in dicating the various positions of said element.

4. A boiler cleaner unit comprising a blower head, a rotatable cleaner element journalled in said head, means carried by said blower head for rotating said element, and a second means adapted to move said blower head and element for positioning the cleaner element longitudinally in a plurality of operative positions, spaced apart.

5. In a boiler cleaner, a source of cleaning fluid, a blower head, a cleaner element journaled in said head and having a discharge nozzle for the fluid, means for advancing the said head and element in the direction of the axis of the latter to a plurality of selected positions, and means for indicating the various positions of said head and element.

6. In a boiler cleaner, a cleaner element provided with a discharge nozzle, the said cleaner element being movable to spaced blowing positions to align said nozzle with spaced boiler parts to be cleaned, and a head in which said element is journaled, said head being movable with the element when the latter is moved to said spaced blowing positions.

7. In a boiler cleaner, a cleaner element provided with a plurality of discharge nozzles, a head in which said element is journaled, and means for moving said head and element in the direction of the axis of the latter to a plurality of spaced blowing positions to align the said nozzles with a plurality of spaced boiler parts to be cleaned.

8. In a boiler cleaner, a cleaner element provided with a plurality of discharge nozzles, a head in which said element is journaled, and means for moving said head and element in the direction of the axis of the latter to align the said nozzles with a plurality of spaced surfaces to be cleaned, said last mentioned means including a circular rack secured to the said element, a pinion engageable with said rack, and a hand wheel for actuating the said pinion.

9. In a boiler cleaner, a cleaner element, a head in which said element is journaled, means for rotating said element relative to said head and means for moving said head and element as a unit to a plurality of spaced blowing positions.

10. In a boiler cleaner, a cleaner element provided with a plurality of discharge nozzles, a head in which said element is journaled, and means for moving said head and element in the direction of the axis of the latter to a plurality of operative positions to successively align the said nozzles with a plurality of spaced boiler parts to be cleaned.

11. In a boiler cleaner, a cleaner element provided with a discharge nozzle, the said cleaner element being movable to a plurality of spaced blowing positions to successively align said nozzle with spaced boiler parts to be'cleaned, and a head in which said element is joii'rnaled, said head being movable with the element waen the latter is moved to align the said nozzle with the boiler parts to be cleaned.

means for rotating said blower element,

means for controlling thesupply of cleaning fluid from said source to said blower element in timed relation to the rotation of said blower element and means for "effecting a longitudinal movement of said blower element to move the same to spaced blowing positions the arrangement being such that the supply of cleaning fluid to said element is normally cut ofl during longitudinal movement of said blower element.

13. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element provided with a plurality of discharge nozzles, a source of supply of cleaningfluid, a blower head forming a connection between said source of supply and said element, means for moving said element longitudinally of its axis to a plurality of spaced blowing positions, and a valve associated with said blower head for controlling the supply of cleaning fluid to said blower ele ment whereby said valve may be conveniently actuated to cut off the supply of cleaning fluid to said blower element during movement of said blower element longitudinally of its axis.

14. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element provided with a plurality of discharge nozzles, a source of supply of cleaning fluid,

means for rotating said blower element, a

valve normally closing communication between sa1d source of supply of cleaning flu1d and said blower element, means operable uptrol the supply of cleaning fluid from said for moving said blower element to a source to said blower element, valve actuating means operable in timed relation to the rotation of said blower element, and means plurality of spaced blowing positions.

16. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element provided with a plurality of discharge nozzles, a source of supply of cleaning fluid, means to rotate said blower element, a valve for controlling the supply of cleaning fluid from said source to said blower element, means for actuating said valve in timed relation to the rotation of said blower element, and means for moving said blower. element longitudinally of its axis to a plurality of blowing positions.

17. In a boiler cleaner,a blower element, a source of supply of cleanlng fluid, a blower head formlng a connection between said source of supply of cleaning fluid and said blower element, means for rotating said blower element, a valve for controlling the supply of cleaning fluid from said source to said blower element, means associated with said head for. actuating said valve in timed relation to the rotation of said blower element, and means for moving said blower elementulongitudinally of its axis to a plurality of blowing positions.

18. In a boiler cleaner, a blower element, a source of supply of cleaning fluid, a blower head forming a connection between said source of supply and said element, means carried by said blower head for rotating said blower element, means associated with said blower element rotating means for dontrolling thewsupply of cleaning fluid from said source to said blower element in timed rela- 7 and means for moving said blower element and said blower head to a plurality of spaced blowing positions.

19." A boiler cleaner unit comprising a blower head, a header for supplying cleaning fluid to said unit, a flexible connection between said header and blower head, a cleaner element journaled in the blower head, said cleaner element being movable to a plurality of spaced blowing positions and being provided with a discharge nozzle, and means for moving said blower head and element longitudinally of the latter to position the nozzle in the said spaced blowing positions to cause the same to act upon different parts of the boiler for cleaning the same.

I 20. A. boiler cleaner unit comprising a blower head, a header for supplying cleaning fluid to said unit, a flexible connection between said header and blower head a cleaner element carried by the blower hebd,

Too

said cleaner element being movable to a plurality of spaced blowing positions and being provided with a discharge nozzle, means for moving said blower head and element in the direction of the axis of the latter to position the nozzle in said spaced blowing positions, and means for rotating the element with respect to said head in any of said positions of the head and element.

21. In a boiler cleaner, a blower head, a header ior supplying cleaning fluid to the blowerhead, a flexible connection between the header and the blower head, a cleaner element journaled in the blower head and provided with a discharge nozzle, means for moving the blower head and element in the direction of the axis of the latter to a plurality of spaced blowing positions, and means for locking the element in each of said positions.

.22. In a boiler cleaner, a blower head, a header for supplying cleaning fluid to the blower head, a flexible connection between the header and the blower head, a cleaner izo element journaled in the blower head and provided with a discharge nozzle, means for moving the blower head and element in the direction of the axis of the latter to a plurality of spaced blowing positions, means for locking the element in each of said positions, and means for rotating the element in each of its locked positions.

23. A boiler cleaner unit comprising a blower head, a header for supplying cleaning fluid to said unit, a swivel connection be tween said headerand blower head, a cleaner element carried by the blower head and provided with a discharge nozzle, means for moving said blower head and element for locating the nozzle in a plurality of spaced blowing positions, means for rotating the element with respect to said head in any of said positions of the head and element, and means for locking the head against movement while the element is rotated.

24. In a boiler cleaner, a blower head, a header for supplying cleaningfluid to said blower head, a flexible connection between said blower head and header, a cleaner element journaled in the blower head and provided with a discharge nozzle, and means including a pivoted lever for moving said blower head and cleaner element to position the discharge nozzle of the cleaner element in a plurality of spaced blowing positions.

25. In a boiler cleaner, a blower head, a header for supplying cleaning fluid to the blower head, a flexible connection between said header and said blower head, a cleaner element journaled in the blower head and provided with a discharge nozzle, means including a pivoted lever for moving said blower head and cleaner element in the direction of the axis of the latter to position the discharge nozzle thereof in a plurality of spaced blowing positions, and means cooperating with said lever for temporarily locking the same to lock the said cleaner element in any one of said blowing positions.

26. A boiler cleaner unit comprising a blower head, a rotatable cleaner element, a sheave carried by said blower head for rotating said element, and a second sheave operatively associated with a means for longitudinally moving said cleaner element to position a nozzle of the element adjacent different boiler parts, means for limiting movement of the element in opposite directions and means for limiting the arc of rotation of said element.

27. In a boiler cleaner, a blower head, a header for supplying cleaning fluid to said blower head, a flexible connection between said header and said blower head, a cleaner element journaled in said blower head and 7 provided with a discharge nozzle, means for rotating said cleaner element, a member secured to the blower head, means'engageable with said member for moving said blower engageable with said member for limiting rotation of said cleaner element.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WILLIS P. THOMAS. 

